Measuring the psychological burden of women with pelvic floor complaints: The psychometric characteristics of a new instrument.

ABSTRACT

Background: To be able to optimize pelvic healthcare, it would be helpful to specifically assess women's psychological burden with pelvic floor complaints. In the absence of such an instrument, a new instrument was developed to measure this burden in women who seek help. In previous research, a comprehensive overview was yielded of women's restrictions and distress with pelvic floor complaints, and a conceptual model was developed of seven types of distress that were reflected by 33 statements. The present study was performed to investigate the psychometric properties of the new instrument, termed the Pelvic Floor Complaint-related Psychological Burden Inventory (PFC-PBI). Methods: In an online survey data was collected from women with and without pelvic floor complaints on the 33 statements. The internal consistency of the types of distress was tested using item-total correlation analysis, Principal Component and Confirmatory Factor Analyses were performed, and the convergent and divergent validity of the types of distress was examined against existing questionnaires using the Multi-Trait Multi-Method methodology. Results: Based on the factor analyses, a 10-item instrument was tested. Outcomes show excellent internal consistency of this instrument, comprising a single component. The PFC-PBI demonstrated satisfactory convergent and divergent validity. Conclusions: This new measure appears to be a promising tool to inventory the psychological burden of women suffering from pelvic floor complaints. Research into its further development, implementation, and clinical use appears warranted.

To be able to optimize pelvic healthcare for women, it would help to be able to specifically assess women's psychological burden with pelvic floor complaints. There is no instrument to measure this burden in women who seek help. Previous research by the same research group has clarified this burden in a model that reflects seven types of distress and provided 33 statements that represent this burden. This follow-up study investigated which statements were most representative of women's psychological burden and that together formed a reliable instrument to assess it. The new instrument is termed the Pelvic Floor Complaint-related Psychological Burden Inventory (PFC-PBI). Women with and without pelvic floor complaints scored these 33 statements in an online survey. Statistical analyses were performed to assess the characteristics and combination of statements that most accurately represent women's psychological burden with pelvic floor complaints. Based on these analyses, a 10-item instrument was tested. The outcomes were excellent regarding reliability and satisfactory regarding validity, and the PFC-PBI was found valid and reliable. This new instrument appears to be a promising tool to inventory the psychological burden of women suffering from pelvic floor complaints. Research into its further development, implementation, and clinical use appears justified.